• Mexico welcomes only foreigners who will be useful to Mexican society:
– Foreigners are admitted into Mexico “according to their possibilities of contributing to national progress.” (Article 32)
– Immigration officials must “ensure” that “immigrants will be useful elements for the country and that they have the necessary funds for their sustenance” and for their dependents. (Article 34)
– Foreigners may be barred from the country if their presence upsets “the equilibrium of the national demographics,” when foreigners are deemed detrimental to “economic or national interests,” when they do not behave like good citizens in their own country, when they have broken Mexican laws, and when “they are not found to be physically or mentally healthy.” (Article 37)
– The Secretary of Governance may “suspend or prohibit the admission of foreigners when he determines it to be in the national interest.” (Article 38)

• Mexican authorities must keep track of every single person in the country:
– Federal, local and municipal police must cooperate with federal immigration authorities upon request, i.e., to assist in the arrests of illegal immigrants. (Article 73)
– A National Population Registry keeps track of “every single individual who comprises the population of the country,” and verifies each individual’s identity. (Articles 85 and 86)
– A national Catalog of Foreigners tracks foreign tourists and immigrants (Article 87), and assigns each individual with a unique tracking number (Article 91).

• Foreigners with fake papers, or who enter the country under false pretenses, may be imprisoned:
– Foreigners with fake immigration papers may be fined or imprisoned. (Article 116)
– Foreigners who sign government documents “with a signature that is false or different from that which he normally uses” are subject to fine and imprisonment. (Article 116)

• Foreigners who fail to obey the rules will be fined, deported, and/or imprisoned as felons:
– Foreigners who fail to obey a deportation order are to be punished. (Article 117)
– Foreigners who are deported from Mexico and attempt to re-enter the country without authorization can be imprisoned for up to 10 years. (Article 118)
– Foreigners who violate the terms of their visa may be sentenced to up to six years in prison (Articles 119, 120 and 121). Foreigners who misrepresent the terms of their visa while in Mexico — such as working with out a permit — can also be imprisoned.

• Under Mexican law, illegal immigration is a felony. The General Law on Population says,
– “A penalty of up to two years in prison and a fine of three hundred to five thousand pesos will be imposed on the foreigner who enters the country illegally.” (Article 123)
– Foreigners with legal immigration problems may be deported from Mexico instead of being imprisoned. (Article 125)
– Foreigners who “attempt against national sovereignty or security” will be deported. (Article 126)

• Mexicans who help illegal aliens enter the country are themselves considered criminals under the law:
– A Mexican who marries a foreigner with the sole objective of helping the foreigner live in the country is subject to up to five years in prison. (Article 127)
– Shipping and airline companies that bring undocumented foreigners into Mexico will be fined. (Article 132)

• The Mexican constitution expressly forbids non-citizens to participate in the country’s political life.
Non-citizens are forbidden to participate in demonstrations or express opinions in public about domestic politics. Article 9 states, “only citizens of the Republic may do so to take part in the political affairs of the country.” Article 33 is unambiguous: “Foreigners may not in any way participate in the political affairs of the country.”

• The Mexican constitution denies fundamental property rights to foreigners.
If foreigners wish to have certain property rights, they must renounce the protection of their own governments or risk confiscation. Foreigners are forbidden to own land in Mexico within 100 kilometers of land borders or within 50 kilometers of the coast.

Article 27 states, “Only Mexicans by birth or naturalization and Mexican companies have the right to acquire ownership of lands, waters, and their appurtenances, or to obtain concessions for the exploitation of mines or of waters. The State may grant the same right to foreigners, provided they agree before the Ministry of Foreign Relations to consider themselves as nationals in respect to such property, and bind themselves not to invoke the protection of their governments in matters relating thereto; under penalty, in case of noncompliance with this agreement, of forfeiture of the property acquired to the Nation. Under no circumstances may foreigners acquire direct ownership of lands or waters within a zone of one hundred kilometers along the frontiers and of fifty kilometers along the shores of the country.” (Emphasis added)

• The Mexican constitution denies equal employment rights to immigrants, even legal
ones, in the public sector.

“Mexicans shall have priority over foreigners under equality of circumstances for all classes of concessions and for all employment, positions, or commissions of the Government in which the status of citizenship is not indispensable. In time of peace no foreigner can serve in the Army nor in the police or public security forces.” (Article 32)

• The Mexican constitution guarantees that immigrants will never be treated as real Mexican citizens, even if they are legally naturalized.
Article 32 bans foreigners, immigrants, and even naturalized citizens of Mexico from serving as military officers, Mexican-flagged ship and airline crew, and chiefs of seaports and airports:

“In order to belong to the National Navy or the Air Force, and to discharge any office or commission, it is required to be a Mexican by birth. This same status is indispensable for captains, pilots, masters, engineers, mechanics, and in general, for all personnel of the crew of any vessel or airship protected by the Mexican merchant flag or insignia. It is also necessary to be Mexican by birth to discharge the position of captain of the port and all services of practique and airport commandant, as well as all functions of customs agent in the Republic.”

• An immigrant who becomes a naturalized Mexican citizen can be stripped of his Mexican citizenship if he lives again in the country of his origin for more than five years, under Article 37. Mexican-born citizens risk no such loss.

• The Mexican constitution provides the right of private individuals to make citizen’s arrests.
Article 16 states, “in cases of flagrante delicto, any person may arrest the offender and his accomplices, turning them over without delay to the nearest authorities.” Therefore, the Mexican constitution appears to grant Mexican citizens the right to arrest illegal aliens and hand them over to police for prosecution.

• The Mexican constitution states that foreigners may be expelled for any reason and without due process.
According to Article 33, “the Federal Executive shall have the exclusive power to compel any foreigner whose remaining he may deem inexpedient to abandon the national territory immediately and without the necessity of previous legal action.”

Tom (Ohio)said

Mark – did you happen to catch Pres. Obama’s remarks today? “law-abiding citizens…. including ‘illegal immigrants’…” His lack of empathy, support, & protection for the citizens of Arizona and what they are suffering is incredulous. The fact that he sides with the Pres. of Mexico over his own citizens is unprecedented. Does not Pres. Obama believe that crossing the border illegally is a crime? Try crossing the border into any other civilized nation without your papers and see what happens when you get caught.

Frank Colesaid

While the irony hits harder than a sledgehammer (comparison of our pathetic unenforced law, vs Mexicos stringent apllicable law, I would like to know why the document is not available for me in English. :P The Mexican law is the way every countries border and population law should be. Americans have rolled over and played dead for too long. Will we wake up before it’s too late Mark? I really think this is the single most important issue this country faces until we solve the problem.

Mike Msaid

The Mexican immigaration laws are very tough compared to most countries, let alone the United States. I am an american citizen who grew up in the state of Sonora, my parents lived in Mexico for 15 years. My father became an “immigrado” which gave hime some of the rights of a Mexican citizen, but not all. Among those were, he could not vote, he could not particpiate in any political activities, or the strangest….he could not work as a waiter (they had a strong waiters union). He had to carry his papers with him at all times and my mother who did not immigrate could not stay in the country for longer than 6 months. We would leave the country for 1-2 weeks and then returnin order to stay legal. Even following the law, it was not unusual for the local politicians to come by for a tribute (mordida)to make sure we did not run into any issues.

What used to be a great country, has reach a new low…I have not been able to find any time in history where there has been such a large migration (12 Mill +++)without a war, famine or some other major catastrophe. This is all due to the corruption of the Mexican political system. There are very few countries that have resources like Mexico, oil, minerlas, farming, beautiful coastline, etc., all squandered by politicians lining their own pockets.

Mexico’s situation is a result of citizens accepting the corruption and in many ways particpating in it. It operated under 1 party rule (PRI)for many years and you either worked with the system or you were outside of it. Payoffs to politicians were, and are, the norm.

To listen to both our president and the mexican president speak on the subject of immigartion was painful. I have listened to many people in thsi country talk about how we treat people unfairly in this country should try going to other nations and see what it is like. Do they really belive that Mexico has taken the high road with its laws? Just ask the tourist that has been asked for payoffs, thrown in jail for overstaying a visit, or any other law that limits the rights of a foreigner.

The Mexican people are a very wonderful nation…but they are led by a very poor group of politicians. Sound familiar? Those politicians are blaming the US for their economic woes versus looking inward for solutions.

Richard Nimmssaid

Oh Yeah Like gag me with a broom! Mrs Obama goes to a grade school with cildren of illegal parents, and condensendingly, “your mom doesn’t have papers? “well were going to have to correct that? Is that an illegal act, by aiding and supporting “illegal immigration”? “We’re” going to fix that, really? get her name and push through papers, hey what about Baracks aunt here illegally, why hasn’t she been deported or locked up for trespass?
Rick Nimms
Simi Valley, Ca 93065

It will be advisable at this time to publicize Mexico’s Immigration Laws in all major newspapers and media in United states to illustrate how our neighbor to the south-Mexico deals with illegal immigration. It is clear that if Congress enacted similar immigration laws. Guess What” illegal immigration will stop immediately. Strict Sanctions, patriotism, and love to this country is what we need right now but when we have a Commander-in-chief and Congress taking sides with Calderon administration that deport illegals without due process of law, it is hard to witness and belief that something is wrong with our politicians in Washington.

[…] When Mexico’s President Felipe Calderón dissed the state of Arizona and the United States as a whole, he actually did us a favor; he gave us a microscope after bashing our immigration law to look at Mexican immigration law. […]

[…] When Mexico’s President Felipe Calderón dissed the state of Arizona and the United States as a whole, he actually did us a favor; he gave us a microscope after bashing our immigration law to look at Mexican immigration law. […]

Richsaid

If Obama stood by Arizona instead of Mexico, he would have found favour with the arizonans, unfortunately he didn’t.

Obama has already belittled his country in the face of world and it is Arizona he is going to support? Never happen.

For an american president to allow the Mexican president the presence to stand in the assembly to belittle, insult, ridicule Arizona-he, the president of the USA is not a president of USA but that of another country.

President OBAMA is a ‘iffy’ president.

fencethebordersaid

Where are all the pro-mexicans that swarm every other comment section of articles talking about the supposed injustices done to illegal mexicans trying to enter the US? Staying nice and quiet with this article because there is nothing you can bitch about. I suppose all these injustices done in Mexico are righteous and acceptable to you mexicans? But you want the US to hand you over everything possible if you manage to sneak over here. WHY DONT THE MEXICANS STAY IN THEIR COUNTRY AND TURN IT AROUND INTO A GOOD COUNTRY THAT PEOPLE >>WANT<< TO LIVE IN AND MAKE IT THEIR OWN LAND OF OPPORTUNITY INSTEAD OF TRYING TO STEAL OFF OTHERS PEOPLES HARD WORK. AMERICA DIDN'T GET TO BE THE RICHEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD WITH ALL THE OPPORTUNITY, BY SITTING AROUND BEING LAZY, BLAMING OTHERS FOR MISFORTUNE, AND EXTORTING A WELFARE SYSTEM.

adam smithsaid

adam smithsaid

Albert Jarwsaid

My parents were immigrants that came at a time when there were quotas for each country. My mother took 14 years to acquire citzenship (1928-1943). My father came in 1940, was drafted and earned citizenship in 1943.
To them being an American was the greatest thing in the world based on the hardships they endured growing up in Czarist Russia, surviving WW1, independence for their countries (Finland and Estonia) and a lack of education during their youth. Both worked any jobs as long as they found like many who came before and after them.
Borders were established so countries could defend their people from encroaching neighboring countries. I have worked with many cultures and enjoy welcoming newcomers to the States. Laws need to be followed and companies that deliberately bring in workers without proper documents are betraying the millions who came through legal means. Those illegals occupying our jails or prisons because they committed crimes should be deported. Why should criminals be supported by taxpayers who are not citizens. Those wanting citizenship get in line with all the others, take a number and wait your turn. Then take the oath and say the pledge and I say “Welcome to The United States as a new American.

i think if we impose large fines on companies that hire illegals , for a first offense , and for a second offense , triple said fine and include suspension of business licenses for one year , and for a third offense , permanently suspend licenses , confiscation of all companies revenue , and equipment , and the owner/owners arrest and imprisonment ! there will be no reason for them to be here to work , so the work load will be diminished greatly for border patrol , and they can focus more on the drugs and terrorists coming into our country . unemployment rates would go down , wages would go back up , American people could quit living under the bridges , people could get off unemployment , welfare , food stamps and may even be able to pay for health insurance ! imagine how big of a burden would be lifted off of our country and its systems !

KDsaid

I say we scrap our immigration laws and replace them with Mexico’s. Then lets see people like Calderon and Vincente Fox whine.

Liberalism is constipation of the brain
It was so cold this winter that I actually saw a Democrat with his hands in his own pockets.
“In my many years I have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three or more is a congress.” (Attributed to John Adams)